Novel rotary disk, rotary disk module, and rotary disk laser and amplifier configurations

ABSTRACT

There is provided a rotary disk laser module including disk comprised of at least one lasing material. The disk further includes a first surface, a second surface and a gain region. The gain region contains excited lasing material and extends between the first and second surfaces. The lasing material may be excited by a pump beam directed onto the disk. A laser is generated when the gain region is brought into optical communication with a laser generator. The disk may move in order to enable various lasing functionality to the laser module. For instance, the disk may rotate, translate, or tilt to rotate the gain region, provide various quantum effects, or to enable heat transfer with a heat sink.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/812,423, filed Jun. 10, 2006, entitled NOVEL ROTARY DISK, ROTARYDISK MODULE, AND ROTARY DISK LASER AND AMPLIFIER CONFIGURATIONS, theteachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part application ofNon-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/180,078, filed Jul. 12,2005, entitled ROTARY DISK LASER MODULE, the teachings of which areexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to rotary disk lasers and moreparticularly, to various laser and amplifier configurations using rotarydisk laser module.

2. Description of the Related Art

Laser is a commonly used acronym for light amplification by stimulatedemission of radiation. Our modern society utilizes lasers in manydifferent capacities, including but not limited to consumer electronics,medicine, information technology, law enforcement, entertainment andmilitary applications.

Patent application Ser. No. 11/180,078 entitled ROTARY DISK LASERMODULE, filed on Jul. 12, 2005 discloses a rotary disk module with animproved efficiency of heat dissipation or heat removal, and isexpressly incorporated herein by reference. The rotary disk moduleincludes a rotary disk that may be used for providing optical gains inone or more laser generators, such as laser amplifiers or laseroscillators. However, the configuration and implementation of the rotarydisk laser module may vary depending on the specific use that isdesired. For instance, in one implementation, it may be desirable tohave a pulsing laser, while in other implementations it may be desirableto move the laser beam in various directions.

As is apparent from the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for avariety of laser configurations and implementations of the rotary disklaser module. The present invention addresses this particular need, aswill be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided arotary disk laser module including a disk comprised of a lasingmaterial. The disk further includes a first surface, a second surfaceand a gain region containing excited lasing material. The lasingmaterial may be excited by a pump beam directed onto the disk. The diskmay move in order to enable various lasing functionality to the lasermodule. For instance, the disk may rotate, translate, vibrate or tilt tomove the gain region relative to a laser generator and a heat sink toprovide various laser effects, or to enable heat transfer with the heatsink.

It is understood that the disk may be used in connection with a varietyof laser generators to generate or amplify a laser. Examples of a lasergenerator includes, but is not limited to a laser oscillator containinga resonator, and a laser amplifier. The rotary disk laser module mayinclude additional mirrors to steer the laser beam, as desired.

The disk may be capable of producing lasers having differentwavelengths. Furthermore, the disk may be compositionally configured toproduce lasers having different wavelengths. Therefore, as the diskmoves relative to the laser generator, the wavelength of the laser mayvary. Wavelength variation may also be achieved by varying the thicknessof the disk.

In addition, it is contemplated that the disk may be comprised of aplurality of lasing materials. Each of the different lasing materials iscapable of producing a laser having different characteristics. The diskmay also include anti-reflectivity and high-reflectivity coatings tocontrol the light that enters and exits the disk. The coatings may beapplied to the surfaces of the disk and used to modify the transmissionof the pump and the laser beams through the disk.

In addition, it is also contemplated that an aspect of the presentinvention includes a rotary disk laser module capable of producing ahigh powered laser. Such a laser may be capable of achieving powerlevels of 100 kW. A high powered laser may be generated by arrangingmultiple laser assemblies side-by-side between a laser generator. In oneparticular embodiment, twenty-five laser assemblies may be used togenerate a high-powered laser.

Each assembly includes a plurality of laser diodes. Each diode isoperative to produce an input laser. The input lasers are received by alens which outputs a pump beam onto the disk. The pump beam excites thelasing material of the disk to create a gain region. Each disk is insetwithin a heat sink. The heat sink includes a disk cavity that isoperative to receive the disk. A portion of the gain region extendsbeyond the heat sink and is aligned with the generator axis. When theplurality of disks is in optical communication with the laser generator,a high-powered laser may be generated.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a laser disk disposed between two heatsinks;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laser disk disposed within a heatsink;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a lasing disk having a laser beam directedthrough a gain region of the disk at the Brewster angle, wherein thelaser beam is deflected by first and second mirrors to achieve multiplepasses through the disk;

FIG. 3A illustrates a light source emitting a pump beam;

FIG. 3B illustrates an alignment member mechanically coupled to a disk;

FIG. 3C illustrates a laser source emitting a laser beam;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a lasing disk having a laser beam directedthrough a gain region of the disk at an angle other than the Brewsterangle, wherein the laser beam is deflected by first, second, third,fourth, fifth and sixth mirrors to achieve multiple passes through thedisk;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a lasing disk having multiple laserspassing through a gain region;

FIG. 5B is a side sectional view of the lasing disk of FIG. 5A whereinat least one laser is not in a plane that is perpendicular to a firstsurface of the disk;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of a lasing disk wherein multiple laserresonators are aligned with a disk gain region to produce multiple laseroscillators;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of a lasing disk wherein multiple lasers aredirected through a disk gain region to amplify the lasers;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the lasing disk having multiple pump beamsdirected to a disk gain region, wherein one pump beam is deflected off adichroic mirror, the disk gain region being aligned with multiple laseroscillators to produce multiple lasers;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lasing disk having multiple pump beamsdirected onto a disk to create gain region, wherein the disk rotatesabout a rotation axis to separately align the gain region with a firstlaser to amplify the first laser, and a laser oscillator to generate asecond laser;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a lasing disk being capable of rotationabout a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is substantiallyperpendicular to a first surface, and wherein the disk is additionallycapable of translation in a first, second or third direction;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a lasing disk being capable of rotationabout a rotation axis, the rotation axis being substantially parallel toa first surface, wherein the disk rotates about the rotation axis toalign a disk gain region with a laser generator;

FIGS. 10A-B are sectional views of a lasing disk being movable between afirst position wherein a disk gain region is aligned with a laserresonator to generate a laser, as shown in FIG. 10A, and a secondposition wherein the disk gain region is not aligned with the laserresonator, as shown in FIG. 10B;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a lasing disk having multiple pumpbeams being incident on the disk, wherein one of the multiple pump beamsis incident on a first surface and the other of the multiple pump beamsis incident on a side surface of the disk, wherein the disk rotates toprovide gain to multiple laser generators;

FIG. 11B is a sectional view of a lasing disk that rotates about arotation axis being perpendicular to the first surface of the disk, thedisk being movable between a first position wherein a disk gain regionis aligned with a first laser resonator to produce a first laser, and asecond position wherein the disk gain region is aligned with a secondlaser resonator to produce a second laser;

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a lasing disk being rotatable about arotation axis, wherein the gain region is optically coupled to a numberof optical waveguides in laser oscillators;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a lasing disk having a gain region,wherein a laser is generated when the gain region is aligned with alaser generator, the disk being compositionally configured to generatelasers of varying wavelength as the disk moves azimuthally relative tothe laser generator;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of a lasing disk having a gain region,wherein a laser is generated when the gain region is aligned with alaser generator, the disk being compositionally configured to generatelasers of varying wavelength as the disk moves radially relative to thelaser generator

FIG. 13A is a sectional view of a lasing disk being operable to generatea laser, wherein the wavelength of the laser varies as the thickness ofthe disk along a generator axis is varied by tilting the disk;

FIG. 13B is a sectional view of a lasing disk having a wedge-shapedcross-section, wherein the disk is rotatable about a rotation axis tovary the disk thickness of a disk gain region aligned with a laserresonator;

FIG. 13C is a sectional view of a lasing disk having a first diskportion having a first thickness and a second disk portion having asecond thickness, wherein the disk is moveable to separately align afirst portion gain region and a second portion gain region with a lasergenerator;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lasing disk comprised of first andsecond lasing materials, wherein the first lasing material is capable ofgenerating a laser at a first wavelength and the second lasing materialis capable of generating a laser at a second wavelength;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a lasing disk having a plurality oflaser media inset within a disk, wherein each lasing media is capable ofproducing a laser with its own characteristic, which may be the same ordifferent from the characteristics of the neighboring laser media, and,wherein one of the lasing medium may be comprised of a number of smallersize lasing media which are diffusion bonded;

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a lasing disk having lasing media,holes, bumps and cavities formed on the disk to alter the properties ofa laser produced by the disk, wherein one of the lasing media isdiffusion bonded to the disk;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a plurality of disks being rotatableabout a common rotation axis wherein the disks are positioned between alaser generator, the plurality of disks being capable of performingmultiple optical functions;

FIG. 17A is a sectional view of an Nd-doped YAG disk diffusion bonded totwo undoped YAG disks;

FIG. 17B is a sectional view of a plurality of disks diffusion bondedtogether, wherein the disk sequence is YAG, Nd-doped YAG, YAG, GaASVCSEL, Sapphire, Glass, Fused Silica, Nd-doped YAG, and YAG;

FIG. 18A is a sectional view of a lasing disk having first and seconddiffraction gratings disposed adjacent to a disk gain region;

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of a lasing disk having multiplediffraction gratings, zone plates and cylindrical lenses disposed on thefirst surface of the disk;

FIG. 19A is a sectional view of a lasing disk having optical coatings ofdifferent optical properties applied to the first and second surfaces ofthe disk;

FIG. 19B is a perspective view of a lasing disk having first, second andthird regions on the disk surface, the regions having different opticalcoatings to alter the lasing properties;

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a lasing disk having a pump beamincident on a side surface of the disk, wherein a gain region is alignedwith a laser generator to generate a laser that is extracted through afirst and a second surface of the disk;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of a disk having first and secondsurfaces, a plurality of side surfaces, and an output coupling sidesurface, wherein a pump beam is incident on the first surface, and theplurality of side surfaces are highly-reflective at a laser wavelength,wherein a laser exits the disk through an output coupling side surfacewhich has partial transmission at the laser wavelength;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a lasing disk having a pump beamincident upon a surface of the disk, wherein the pump beam is comprisedof a plurality of laser diodes directed through a lens;

FIG. 21B is a side view of the disk of FIG. 21A, wherein the disk isdisposed within a heat sink and a disk gain region is aligned with alaser oscillator;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a plurality of lasing disks disposedbetween a laser generator, wherein a pump beam is incident upon eachdisk, wherein the plurality of disks contribute to generate a laser;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a disk that rotates about a rotationaxis, wherein the disk is driven by a belt drive;

FIG. 23B is a perspective view of a disk that rotates about a rotationaxis, wherein the disk is driven by a gear; and

FIG. 23C is a perspective view of a disk that rotates about a rotationaxis, wherein the disk is driven by a pulley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only andnot for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of arotary disk laser module. The rotary disk laser module includes a disk10 comprised of a lasing material disposed within a heat sink. As usedherein, a lasing material is any material that can emit laser light. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the heat sink includes first and secondportions 2A, 2B. Gaps 5A and 5B are disposed between the disk 10 and thefirst and second portions 2A, 2B of the heat sink. The disk 10 ispositioned within the heat sink such that there is an exposed portion 4.In another embodiment, the exposed portion 4 may be located within aheat sink cutout, as shown in FIG. 2.

Optical radiation is directed onto the exposed portion 4 to excite thelasing material. The portion of the disk 10 containing excited lasingmaterial is referred to as the gain region. When the gain region isaligned with a laser generator 6, a laser is generated. As used herein,a laser generator 6 may be a laser oscillator containing a resonator,laser amplifier, or other laser generators known by those having skillin the art. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disk 10rotates about a rotation axis to transfer heat to the heat sink portions2A, 2B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the disk 10 is driven by arotation member 3, which may include a motor, however other rotationmeans may be employed to rotate the disk 10. In another embodiment, thedisk 10 may be caused to pass through the heat sink to remove heat fromthe disk 10.

The heat sink may include gas or liquid to enhance the heat transfercapabilities of the heat sink. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat sinkincludes a liquid reservoir 9 of a heat transfer liquid. The disk 10 maybe cooled by rotating or passing through the cooler heat transfermaterial and reservoir. For a more detailed discussion regarding thedisk 10 and the heat sink, refer to US Patent Application PublicationNo. 2006/0007800, entitled Rotary Disk Laser Module, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

It is contemplated that the disk 10 may be used in a variety ofconfigurations. Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, in many cases, a diskdisplacement mechanism 23 moves the disk 10 for a variety of purposes.For instance, the disk 10 may be moved into optical communication with apump beam 21 a or laser beam 25 a. FIG. 3B shows a disk displacementmechanism 23 mechanically coupled to a disk 10, thereby enabling thedisk displacement member 23 to move the disk 10 as desired. Furthermore,many configurations require a pump beam 21 a or laser beam 25 a to bedirected onto the disk 10. FIGS. 3A and 3C illustrate a light source 21emitting a pump beam 21 a and a laser source 25 emitting a laser 25 a.

The following is a description of several configurations in which thedisk 10 may be utilized.

Configuration 1

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment wherein a laser beam 14 completes multiplepasses through the disk 10. It is contemplated that by directing thelaser beam 14 to make multiple passes, more energy is extracted from thedisk 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the disk 10 is rotatable about a rotationaxis 12. The disk 10 may be constructed in a wide range of shapes andsizes. The particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a disk 10having a thickness “T” and a diameter “D.” The disk 10 includes opposingfirst and second surfaces 11, 13. The disk 10 further includes a gainregion 15 containing excited lasing material that extends between thefirst and second surfaces 11, 13.

It is understood that a laser beam can be extracted out of the disk 10in an infinite number of directions and planes. However, for low-lossoperation with an uncoated disk 10, it is advantageous to direct orextract the laser beam at the Brewster angle of incidence. For a givendisk 10, there are two distinct directions along which the Brewsterangle of incidence is satisfied. Consequently, it would be advantageousto direct a laser or amplifier beam to pass through the gain region 15of the disk 10 two times by propagating along the two distinct Brewsterangle directions with respect to the plane of the disk 10. Doublepassing of the beam through the disk 10 increases the extraction of thestored energy in the disk 10.

In order to achieve double passing, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3includes first and second mirrors 16, 18 to reflect the laser beam 14back through the disk 10. According to one embodiment, the laser beam 14initially passes through the gain region 15 by entering through thefirst surface 11 and exiting through the second surface 13. When thebeam 14 exits the second surface 13, the beam 14 is deflected by a firstmirror 16, as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the first mirror 16deflects the beam 14 such that it is substantially parallel to thesecond surface 13 of the disk 10, however, it is understood that thebeam 14 is not required to be deflected substantially parallel to thesecond surface 13. The beam 14 is then deflected by the second mirror 18such that it is directed toward the second surface 13 of the disk 10.Preferably, the second mirror 18 reflects the beam 14 toward the disk 10at the Brewster angle. The beam 14 passes through the gain region 15 ofthe disk 10 a second time by entering through the second surface 13 andexiting through the first surface 11. As such, double-passing isachieved.

It is understood that first and second mirrors 16, 18 may be used toreflect a beam 14 not entering the disk 10 at the Brewster angle,however, for maximum energy extraction, it is desirable to direct thebeam 14 into the disk 10 at an angle that is as close to the Brewsterangle as possible.

Configuration 2

Configuration 1 is useful when the beam 14 enters the disk 10 at theBrewster angle. However, if the beam 14 does not enter the disk 10 atthe Brewster angle, it may be desirable to make additional passesthrough the disk 10 in order to maximize the energy extracted from thedisk 10. Therefore, various embodiments of the invention includeadditional mirrors for directing the beam through the disk. FIG. 4 showsa disk 10 having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth mirrors16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 for achieving multiple passes of the beam 14through the disk 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the beam 14 enters the gain region 15of the disk 10 through the first surface 11. The beam 14 exits the disk10 through the second surface 13 and is deflected by the first mirror16. The first mirror 16 deflects the beam 14 toward the second mirror18. The beam 10 is then deflected by the second mirror 18 toward thesecond surface 13 of the disk 10 at an angle that is close to, but notequal to the Brewster angle. The beam 14 again passes through the gainregion 15, exiting through the first surface 11. After exiting throughthe first surface 11, the beam 14 is deflected by the third mirror 20toward a fourth mirror 22. A fourth mirror 22 deflects the beam 10 sothat it makes an additional pass through the gain region 15 and existsthrough the second surface 13. After exiting through the second surface13 for the second time, a fifth mirror 24 deflects the beam 14 toward asixth mirror 26. A sixth mirror 26 deflects the beam 14 through the gainregion 15 again such that the beam 14 enters the disk 10 through thesecond surface 13 and exits the disk 10 through the first surface 11. Inthis regard, the beam 14 makes multiple passes through the disk 10 inorder to maximize the extraction of energy from the gain region 15.

Configuration 3

In Configurations 1 and 2, the beams 14 were assumed to be in a planethat is perpendicular to the first and second surfaces 11, 13 of thedisk 10. However, it is contemplated that various embodiments of thepresent invention include laser beams 14 a, 14 b or pump beams that arenot in a plane that is perpendicular to the first or second surfaces 11,13 of the disk 10. FIG. 5A is a top view of a disk 10 having beams 14 a,14 b incident thereon, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the disk 10. Asexemplified in FIGS. 5A and 5B, beam 14 b is in a plane that isperpendicular to the first surface 11; however, beam 14 a is not in aplane that is perpendicular to the first surface 11.

One particular situation in which this may be useful is when a pluralityof laser beams are extracted from the disk 10. In this instance at leastone of the laser beams may not be in a plane which is perpendicular tothe plane of the first and second surfaces 11, 13.

It is also contemplated the certain embodiments of the present inventioninclude pump beams that are in a plane that is not perpendicular to thefirst or second surfaces 11, 13. This is especially true when aplurality of pump beams are directed onto the disk 10 to multiplexinside the disk 10. In this case, there may be at least one pump beamthat is in a plane not perpendicular to the first or second surfaces 11,13 of the disk 10.

Configuration 4

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is contemplated that variousembodiments of the present invention include a disk 10 that is comprisedof a single uniform laser gain medium which can demonstrate laser gainat several wavelengths related to different laser transitions. Oneparticular example of such a lasing material is Nd-YAG. In this type ofgain medium, multiple lasers may be constructed out of the same disk 10.The multiple lasers may be of the same or different wavelengths. It isunderstood that different types of laser generators may be used togenerate multiple lasers from the disk 10. It is also understood thatvarious embodiments of the invention have gain regions 15 located atdifferent locations on the disk 10. For instance, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the gain region 15 is on both sides of therotation axis 12, and lasers 28 a, 30 a and 34 a are extracted on bothsides of the gain region 15. Multiple lasers or a single laser may begenerated from a single gain region 15.

In one embodiment, multiple laser oscillators may be used to generatemultiple lasers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, there are first,second, third, and fourth oscillators 28, 30, 32, and 34 which generatefirst, second, third, and fourth lasers 28 a, 30 a, 32 a, and 34 a,respectively, which may have different wavelengths. For a Nd-YAG disk,there may be two lasers having a wavelength of 1064 nm, and two otherlasers have wavelengths of 1318 nm and 946 nm. In another embodiment,multiple laser amplifiers may use a single disk 10. As shown in FIG. 6B,first, second and third laser amplifiers 36, 38, 40 are amplified bypassing through the disk 10. In still another embodiment, there may beat least one laser generator and at least one amplifier generatinglasers from the same disk 10.

A laser gain medium capable of demonstrating laser gain at severalwavelengths may additionally be used in the double pass configurationsdescribed above. For example, a disk 10 comprised of Nd-YAG that isarranged in the double passed configuration 3, the pass 14 a may be usedto build a 1064 nm laser (4F3/2 to 4I11/2 transition), whereas pass 14 bmay be used to build a 1318 nm laser (4F3/2 to 4I13/2 transition).

In the case of a gain medium having a large gain bandwidth, such asNd-glass or Yb-glass, the laser or the amplifier may be made to operateover multiple wavelengths along multiple propagation directions withinthe same laser transition.

Configuration 5

Referring now to FIG. 7, according to another embodiment, a number ofoptical pump beams 42 may be multiplexed on the disk 10 so that thelaser medium is pumped at a higher power or at multiple wavelengths. Inthis regard, the pump beams 42 are in optical communication with thegain region 15 of the disk 10. In one particular implementation, thereare more pump beams 42 than laser beams 44 a, 46 a generated by the disk10, as shown in FIG. 7. In particular, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7includes seven pump beams 42, while only two laser beams 44 a, 46 a areextracted from the disk 10 with laser generators 44, 46. In oneparticular implementation, all of the pump beams 46 are directed to onespot on the disk 10, whereas in another embodiment, multiple locationson the disk 10 will receive multiple pump beams 42.

The laser beams 44 a, 44 b or, in another embodiment, the amplifierbeam(s) can be extracted along geometrically separate paths or along thesame path using wavelength demultiplexing devices such as dichroicfilters. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 a pump beam 42 is deflectedoff a dichroic mirror 48. The dichroic mirror 48 shown in FIG. 7reflects light at the pump beam 42 wavelength and transmits light at thelaser 44 a wavelength. However, it is understood that the dichroicmirror 48 may reflect light at the laser 44 a wavelength and transmitlight at the pump beam 42 wavelength.

Although the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 shows more pumpbeams 42 than laser beams 44 a, 46 a, it is contemplated that otherembodiments of the present invention include more laser generators thanpump beams 42. In this regard, there are more lasers generated than pumpbeams 42 providing gain to the disk 10. Therefore, the ratio of lasersto pump beams 42 may be greater than 1. In addition, the ratio ofamplifiers to pump beams may be greater than 1.

Configuration 6

Turning now to FIG. 8, in another implementation of the invention,multiplexing of pump and laser beams is achieved through movement of thedisk of the disk 10. In this regard, motion of the disk 10 bringsunexcited lasing material into optical communication with a pump beam 50to create excited lasing material. The disk 10 continues to move to movethe excited lasing material into optical communication with subsequentpump beams 50 to multiplex that excited lasing material. Movement may beachieved by the disk displacement member 23 as desired. The lasingmaterial may be moved into optical communication with several pump beams50 prior to being placed in optical communication with a lasergenerator. As shown in FIG. 8, the same particular gain region 15 a-f ismoved through a number of different pump beams 50 over time. It iscontemplated that the energy in the gain region 15 may be extracted ineither a single beam or in multiple laser beams.

In another embodiment, the multiplexing of pump and laser beams isachieved through translation. In this regard, the disk 10 is translatedalong at least one translation axis to move unexcited lasing materialinto optical communication with a pump beam 50 to excite the lasingmaterial. The excited lasing material may be translated to bring it intooptical communication with subsequent pump beams 50 over a period oftime. Other embodiments may include a combination of rotation andtranslation of the disk 10.

Configuration 7

It is contemplated that movement of the disk 10 may be desirable for anumber of different reasons including, but not limited to, heattransfer, pump beam alignment, laser generator alignment, and opticalcontrol. As discussed above, various embodiments include a diskdisplacement member 23 to achieve movement of the disk 10. In particularembodiments the disk displacement member 23 rotates and/or translatesthe disk 10. The disk displacement member 23 is mechanically coupled tothe disk 10. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate various disk movements that maybe desirable. As discussed above, rotation of the disk 10 may beadvantageous for several reasons. The disk 10 rotates about a rotationaxis 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the rotation axis 12 issubstantially perpendicular to the first surface 11. Although therotation axis 12 shown in FIG. 9A is not located at the geometric centerof the first surface 11, it is contemplated that other embodiments ofthe invention include a rotation axis 12 located at the center of thefirst surface 11. According to one embodiment, the disk 10 rotates forheat dissipation, and then stops during laser energy extraction. Thisminimizes beam pointing jitter due to the motion of the disk 10. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9B, the rotation axis 12 is substantiallyparallel to the first surface 11. The disk 10 shown in FIG. 9B rotatesabout the rotation axis 12 to align the gain region 15 with the lasergenerator 64 to generate laser 64 a.

In addition to rotation of the disk 10, movement may additionally beachieved through translation. The disk 10 shown in FIG. 9A translates infirst, second, and third directions 56, 58, 60.

In another embodiment, motion of the disk 10 is not restricted in onlyone plane, but rather the disk 10 is moved simultaneously orsequentially in many planes. For example the disk 10 may rotate aboutthe rotation axis 12 as well as translate in the first, second, or thirddirections 56, 58, 60. A combination of translation and rotation mayhelp in minimizing phase aberration in the laser beam. In anotherimplementation, movement of the disk 10 includes vibration. Vibrationmay occur during rotation and translation of the disk 10.

Configuration 8

Disk 10 motion may be used to control the lasing action of the disk 10.In this regard, certain embodiments of the present invention achieveintermittent lasing activity. Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, oneembodiment of the invention includes a disk 10 that moves to transportthe excited lasing material 15 in and out of optical communication witha laser generator 66. As was described above, when the excited lasingmaterial 15 is in optical communication with the generator axis 65,lasing activity occurs. Therefore, lasing activity may be controlled bycontrolling the optical communication between the excited lasingmaterial 15 and the generator 66. Thus, in one embodiment, an alignmentmember 23 gives the disk 10 arbitrary motion so that the excited lasingmaterial 15 goes in and out of communication with the generator 66. Forexample, the lasing action may be initiated on command which would placethe disk 10 in communication with the generator 66 for lasing action tooccur. Conversely, the laser action may be terminated by misaligning thedisk with the resonator of the laser generator 66.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, lasing activity occurswith the first and second surfaces 11, 13 of the disk 10 aresubstantially perpendicular to the generator axis 65, as shown in FIG.10A. As the disk 10 tilts such that the first and second surfaces 11, 13are not substantially perpendicular with the generator axis 65 and thedisk is misaligned with the resonator fo the laser generator 66,terminating laser oscillation. Consequently, no lasing activity occurs,as illustrated in FIG. 10B.

Q-switched laser operation may be obtained for example by pumping thedisk 10 which is not aligned with the resonator of the laser generator66, and by quickly moving the disk 10 into alignment with the resonatorof the laser generator 66, so that the stored energy is extracted in ahigh peak power pulse.

Configuration 9

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, as the excited lasing material 15 issequentially brought into optical communication with multiple lasergenerators 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, multiple lasers 70 a, 72 a, 74 a, 76 a,78 a are produced. In this regard, the disk 10 carries stored laserenergy and feeds it into a number of laser generators 70, 72, 74, 76,78. In materials such as Nd-YAG, the stored energy may be extracted atdifferent wavelengths; therefore, the disk 10 may be able to transportthe stored laser energy to more than one laser generator operating atthe same or different wavelengths.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate different disk 10 motions which may be used tobring the excited lasing material 15 of the disk 10 into opticalcommunication with multiple laser generators. In FIG. 11A, the pump beam68 excites the lasing material in the disk 10. Subsequently, the excitedlasing material rotates and is sequentially aligned with first, second,and third laser oscillators 70, 72, 74 and first and second amplifiers76, 78 to generate first, second and third lasers 70 a, 72 a, 74 a, andfirst and second amplified lasers 76 a, 78 a. In FIG. 11C, the excitedlasing material 15 is aligned with at least one waveguide 80. Accordingto a specific embodiment, the motion of the disk 10 separately alignsthe excited lasing material with an array of waveguides 80.

FIG. 11B illustrates moving the excited lasing material 15 into opticalcommunication with multiple laser generators 70, 72 by moving the disk10 between a first position and a second position. In the firstposition, the excited lasing material 15 is in optical communicationwith the first oscillator 70 to generate the first laser 70 a. In thesecond position, the excited lasing material 15 is in opticalcommunication with the second oscillator 72 to generate the second laser72 a.

Configuration 10

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, another embodiment of the inventionincludes a disk 10 comprised of a material in which the wavelength ofoperation depends on the composition of the laser gain medium. In otherwords, the disk 10 is compositionally configured to produce lasers ofdifferent wavelengths at different locations on the disk 10. The disk 10may be configured to vary wavelength in any direction (i.e. radially,azimuthally).

An example of a compositionally tunable laser gain medium isNd:YAG_(x)YSAG_(1-x), where 0<x<1, and which lases over a range ofwavelengths near 940 nm. The exact wavelength depends on the value of x.A more detailed discussion of compositionally configured disks 10 may befound in Compositionally Tuned 0.94-μm Lasers: A Comparative LaserMaterial Study and Demonstration of 100-mJ Q-Switched Lasing at 0.946and 0.9441 μm, Walsh, B. M., Barnes, N. P., Hutcheson, R. L., andEquall, R. W., IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 37(9), pp. 1203-1209(2001). Although Nd:YAG_(x)YSAG_(1-x), is given as an example ofcompositionally tunable laser gain media, any compositionally tunablelaser gain media may be employed by the present invention.

FIG. 12A illustrates a compositionally configured disk 10 which producesfirst and second lasers 82 a, 84 a whose wavelength varies as the disk10 moves relative to the first and second laser generators 82, 84 in theazimuthally direction. In this regard, when the disk 10 rotates aboutthe rotation axis 12, and different disk 10 locations are in opticalcommunication with the first and second laser generators 82, 84, thewavelength of the first and second lasers 82 a, 84 a will vary withtime. This may be particularly advantageous in a remote sensingapplication.

The compositionally configured disk 10 shown in FIG. 12B produces firstand second lasers 82 a, 84 a that vary in wavelength as the disk 10moves in the radial direction relative to the first and second lasergenerators 82, 84. In this regard, the disk 10 translates so as to movedifferent portions of the disk 10 into optical communication with thefirst and second laser generators 82, 84. As different portions of thedisk 10 are placed in optical communication with the laser generators82, 84, the wavelength of the first and second lasers 82 a, 84 a varies.

Configuration 11

As stated above, it may be desirable to vary the wavelength of thelaser. Therefore, in addition to the foregoing methods and apparatusthat vary laser wavelength, according to an embodiment of the invention,a laser wavelength may be varied by varying the thickness of the portionof the disk 10 that is aligned with the generator axis.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13A, there isprovided a disk 10 having very flat and parallel first and secondsurfaces 11, 13. It is understood that when lasing disks 10 include veryflat and parallel surfaces 11, 13 it produces an etalon effect whichmodifies the lasing wavelength. This principle may be employed to narrowthe wavelength range at which the disk 10 can operate. The disk 10includes a transmission loss function which is dependent on wavelength.The transmission loss function can be modified by tilting the disk 10relative to the generator axis 87. As is shown in FIG. 13A, disk 10 istilted with respect to the angle of incidence of the laser beam 88 a.The disk 10 tilts between a first and second position. In oneembodiment, a disk displacement mechanism 23 moves the disk 10 betweenthe first and second positions. In the first position, the first andsecond surfaces 11, 13 are substantially perpendicular to the generatoraxis 87. In the second position, the first and second surfaces 11, 13are not substantially perpendicular to the generator axis 87. In thisregard, the thickness of the disk 10 aligned with the generator axis 87is thicker in the second position than in the first position. In anotherembodiment, the generator axis 87 is moveable to vary the diskthickness. In this regard, the wavelength of the laser 88 a varies whenthe distance between the first and second surfaces 11, 13 along thegenerator axis 87 changes. This provides time dependent wavelengthtunability. The variation may be either discrete or continuous.

In another embodiment, the disk 10 includes a non-uniform thickness.Consequently, when the disk 10 is rotated, the portion of the disk 10 inoptical communication with the laser generator 88 varies in thickness.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13B, the first and second surfaces11, 13 are in non-parallel arrangement and the disk 10 includes awedge-shaped cross-section. Therefore, as the disk 10 rotates, thedistance between the first and second surfaces 11, 13 along thegenerator axis 87 changes to vary the wavelength of the laser 88 a.

FIG. 13C also shows a disk 10 having a non-uniform thickness, however,the first and second surfaces 11, 13 are in parallel arrangement. Inthis particular embodiment, the disk 10 includes a first portion 90having a first thickness t₁ and a second portion 92 having a secondthickness t₂, where the first and second thicknesses t₁, t₂ are notequal. When the first portion 90 of the disk 10 is in opticalcommunication with the generator axis 87, a laser 88 a is producedhaving a first wavelength. Correspondingly, when the second portion 92of the disk 10 is in optical communication with the generator axis 87,the wavelength of the laser 88 a is varied to a second wavelength.

Configuration 12

It is understood that different lasing materials produce lasers havingdifferent laser characteristics, including but not limited towavelength, directionality, time format and beam shape. Therefore, oneembodiment of the invention includes a disk 10 comprised of variouslasing materials. As the various lasing materials are brought intooptical communication with a laser generator, laser beams havingdifferent laser characteristics are produced.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, there is provided adisk 10 comprised of a first lasing material 94 and a second lasingmaterial 96. The pump beam 95 inputs energy into the first material 94to create a excited lasing material 15 within the first material 94.When the first material 94 gain region 15 is in optical communicationwith the laser generator 98, a laser beam 98 a having a first lasercharacteristics is produced.

The disk 10 may be arranged such that the pump beam 95 inputs energyinto the second material 96 to create excited lasing material 15 withinthe second material 96. When the excited lasing material 15 within thesecond material 96 is brought into optical communication with the lasergenerator 98, the laser 98 includes a second laser characteristics. Inthis regard, the laser properties, such as wavelength may be controlledby positioning the suitable portion of the disk 10 in the path of thepump 95 and laser generator 98.

Configuration 13

Referring now to FIG. 15A, there is provided a disk 10 having aplurality of lasing medium 102 inset therein. In one particularembodiment, the disk 10 is not comprised of lasing material; theplurality of inset lasing medium are solely comprised of lasingmaterial. However, in another embodiment, the disk 10 is comprised of alasing material, as are each of the lasing media 102. It is understoodthat the size, shape and number of the lasing medium 102 may be variedas desired. The lasing medium 102 may be in separately opticalcommunication with a laser generator to produce laser beams havingdifferent laser characteristics, such as different wavelengths. In thisregard, the inset lasing medium 102 enable control over laserproperties. For instance, when one medium 102 is in opticalcommunication with the laser generator, a laser beam having first lasercharacteristics is produced. When another medium 102 is placed inoptical communication with the laser generator, a laser beam havingsecond laser characteristics is produced. This embodiment may enableuniform switching between lasers having different characteristics byproviding a uniform motion of the disk 10. According to variousembodiments the disk displacement member 23 provides the desired motion.It is contemplated that in one particular embodiment, at least one ofthe medium 102 is produced by diffusion bonding of two or more medium ofsmaller size.

Referring now to FIG. 15B, the disk 10 may additionally include variousphysical patterns to provide further optical control. The disk 10 mayinclude holes 104, channels 106 or bumps 108 in addition to the medium102. The holes 104, channels 106, or bumps 108 may vary in size asdesired. Such geometric variations to the surface of the disk 10 createchanges to the properties of the laser. The holes 104 or bumps 108 maybe comparable to the size of a single mode waveguide for spatial modecontrol. In one embodiment, the holes 104, bumps 108 or channels 106 are0.1-10 nm in at least one of the dimensions which would provideadditional quantum effects related to the disk 10 laser or amplifieroperation. FIG. 15B additionally shows a lasing media 102 a that isdiffusion bonded to the disk 10. In other embodiments, the disk 10 maybe made of layers of material and void. The layers may include gas,liquid, or solid of arbitrary thickness along any direction. In afurther embodiment of the invention, the disk 10 may include waveguidesdisposed therein.

Configuration 14

It is understood that various materials can affect the opticalproperties of a laser. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.16, there is provided laser generator 110 and a disk stack 123 comprisedof a plurality of disks 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 positioned along thesame rotation axis 12. A pump beam 112 is incident on the disk stack123. In one embodiment, the disk stack 123 is mounted on the same shaftand are positioned adjacent to one another. It is contemplated that thedisks 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 in the disk stack 123 may perform morethan one function. For example, at least one disk may be comprised of alasing material such that the pump beam 112 excites the lasing materialand when the excited lasing material is in optical communicaiton withthe laser generator 110, a laser 110 a is produced. Other disks of thedisk stack 123 may perform other functions. For instance, another diskmay perform a heat transfer function. A heat transfer disk may be placedadjacent to the lasing disk and serve as a heat sink. The heat transferdisk may be comprised of material known by those skilled in the art todissipate heat from the lasing disk. Other disks may act as opticalfilters and contribute to other functions including frequency selection,mode-locking, Q-switching or other time gating or beam scanningfunctions. The other disks may be comprised of materials known by thoseskilled in the art to achieve the desired results.

According to one particular implementation, the lasing disk is mountedwith a harmonic generation crystal disk such that lasing and nonlinearoptical conversion processes are integrated on the same rotary disks.Furthermore, the nonlinear optical conversion crystal disk may be ableto operate at much higher power when the nonlinear optical conversioncrystal disk is rotating as compared to when the disk is not in motion.

Configuration 15

According to another embodiment, the disk 10 is comprised of multiplematerials for added optical functionality, as is shown in FIGS. 17A-B.The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17A-B is similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 16; however, the materials comprising the disk 10 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 17A-B are bonded together with minimal opticalloss. According to one embodiment, the disks are diffusion bonded toeach other. In this regard, the bonded materials act as one disk, ratherthan separate disks placed next to each other. Diffusion bonded disks ofdifferent materials and compositions may be used for laser operationoptimization or for optimizing the thermal resistance between the laserdisk and the heat sink. Furthermore, an arbitrary number of disks ofvarious functionalities such as an optically activated semiconductorlaser disk for pumping, fused silica for Q-switching, Nd-YAG for lasergain generation can be optically contacted or diffusion bonded to makeone composite disk.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17A, the disk 10 is comprised of two YAGdisks 160 and one Nd-doped YAG disk 162. A pump beam 166 excites thelasing material of the Nd-doped YAG disks 162, such that when theexcited material is in optical communication with the laser generator164, a laser 164 a is generated. The disk 10 shown in FIG. 17B iscomprised of nine separate disks; in particular, three YAG disks 160,two Nd-doped YAG disks 162, a GaAs VCSEL disk 168, a sapphire disk 170,a glass disk 172, and a fused silica disk 174. The disk 10 shown in FIG.17B includes pump beams 178 directed onto the disk 10. The pump beams178 excited the lasing material in the Nd-doped YAG disks 162 such thatthey generate a laser 176 a when the excited material is aligned withthe laser generator 176.

It should be noted that diffusion bonded disks 10 are not limited to thespecific embodiments described above.

Configuration 16

As is stated above, it is desirable to control the properties of thelaser(s) produced by the lasing disk. Therefore, it is contemplated thatcertain embodiments of the present invention include diffractionpatterns to enable beam shaping properties in addition to normal laseror amplifier operation, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.

In FIG. 18A there is provided a side view of a disk 10 having adiffraction grating 128. As is shown, the diffraction grating 128 isdisposed on the first surface 11 adjacent to the gain region 15,although it is understood that the diffraction grating 128 may bedisposed on the second surface 13 adjacent to the gain region 15. Whenthe gain region 15 is in optical communication with the laser generator126, a laser 126 a is produced. The properties of the laser beam 126 amay be shaped by the diffraction grating 128. The wavelength or otherlaser characteristics may be protected by imposing varying patterns fromthe disk 10 onto the laser beam 126 a. This may be particularly usefulin a secure communication application.

FIG. 18B shows a front view of the laser disk 10 and an arrangement ofdiffractive and cryptographic elements disposed on the first surface 11of the disk 10. The diffractive and cryptographic elements shown in FIG.18B include gratings 134 and zone plates 132, although othercryptographic and diffractive elements known by those skilled in the artmay also be employed. Although the diffractive and cryptographicelements are annularly arranged in FIG. 18B, it is understood that theelements may be constructed in any particular order and configuration onthe disk 10.

Configuration 17

According to another embodiment of the invention and referring to FIGS.19A and 19B, the surfaces 11, 13 of the disk 10 include coatings tomodify the lasing operation. According to one embodiment, at least onesurface of the disk 10 includes a coating to control the transmission oflight at a particular wavelength through the coated surface.

The coatings may include a highly reflective coating, in which mostlight at a particular wavelength is reflected therefrom. The coatingsmay also include an anti-reflective coating, which enhances thetransparency of a particular surface. In one embodiment, the coatingsare to be tailored to the pump wavelength and/or the laser wavelength byadding dielectric layers to the disk. It is understood that the samesurface may include a coating configured for the pump wavelength and anadditional coating for the laser wavelength. It is also understood thatthe coatings may be applied to the disk 10 in any configuration so as toachieve a desirable result.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 19A, the first surface 11 includes ananti-reflection coating at the pump wavelength and a highly-reflectivecoating at the laser wavelength, and the second surface 13 includes ananti-reflection coating at the laser wavelength. In addition, a mirror136 is placed so that it is facing the second surface 13, as shown inFIG. 17A. In this regard, the first surface 11 of the disk 10 and themirror 136 combine to act as a laser resonator. The pump beam 138 entersthrough the first surface 11, which is coated with the anti-reflectivecoating at the pump wavelength to enhance transmission of the pump beam138 into the disk 10. When the disk 10 is pumped from the pump beam 138,light is reflected through the disk 10 between the first surface 11 andthe mirror 136. Consequently, the first surface 11 and the mirror 136form the resonator to generate the laser 136 a.

In another embodiment, one surface of the disk 10 may include multiplecoatings for light at multiple wavelengths. In the particular embodimentillustrated in FIG. 19B, there is provided a disk 10 having a firstportion 104 that includes a high reflectivity coating at a first laserwavelength, a second portion 142 that includes a high reflectivitycoating at a second laser wavelength, and a third portion 144 thatincludes a high reflectivity coating at a third laser wavelength. Inthis regard, the first, second, and third portions may be operativelycoupled to a mirror 136 to act as resonators and produce lasers havingfirst, second, and third wavelengths, respectively.

Configuration 18

Referring now to FIG. 20A, although many of the embodiments describedabove include a pump beam 146 which enters the disk 10 through one ofthe first or second surfaces 11, 13, it is contemplated that the pumpbeam 146 may enter any portion of the disk 10 at any angle. Likewise,the laser beam 148 a may be extracted through any portion of the disk 10at any angle. Therefore, it is contemplated that the laser moduleincludes a disk 10 comprised of a lasing material having opposing firstand second surfaces 11, 13 and at least one partially transmissive sidesurface 154 being substantially perpendicular to the first and secondsurfaces 11, 13. FIG. 20A shows an embodiment where the pump beam 146enters through the side surface 150 of the disk 10.

FIG. 20B illustrates a particular embodiment of the disk 10 whichproduces a laser 156 that is extracted within the plane of the disk 10.In this regard, the disk 10 includes a plurality of reflective sidesurfaces 152 and at least one transmissive side surface 154 extendingbetween the first and second surfaces 11, 13. The reflective sidesurfaces 152 may be coated with a highly-reflective coating at the laserwavelength and the transmissive side surface 154 allows at least partialtransmission of laser light. The reflective side surfaces 152 may alsobe uncoated, and the reflectivity of the laser light will be determinedby laws of reflection at a dielectric interface.

A pump beam 158 is pumped into the disk via the first or second surfaces11, 13. Light is reflected within the disk 10 off of the reflective sidesurfaces 152, as shown in FIG. 20B. The laser 156 is extracted from thedisk 10 through the transmissive side surface 154. In this regard, thelaser 156 is extracted in the plane of the disk 10. Furthermore, thedirection of the beam of the laser 156 changes as the disk 10 rotates.In other words, as the disk 10 rotates or translates, so does the beamof the laser 156.

Configuration 19

According to another embodiment of the invention, the laser disk 10 mayalso be used to construct a high powered laser. In particular, the disk10 may be used to construct a laser capable of achieving powers of atleast 100 kW. According to one embodiment, a high power laser isgenerated by arranging multiple laser assemblies 179 in side-by-sidearrangement as illustrated in FIG. 22 and as discussed in more detailbelow.

FIG. 21B illustrates one embodiment of the laser assembly 179. Accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 21B, each laser assembly 179 includes adisk 10 comprised of a lasing material. The assembly 179 furtherincludes at least one heat sink 186 for absorbing the heat producedduring lasing activity. The disk 10 is inset within the heat sink 186inside of a disk cavity 187 as shown in FIG. 21B. In one embodiment,there is at least a 10-250 micron gap between the heat sink 186 and thedisk 10. The gap may be filled with helium at room temperature toenhance the dissipation of heat from the disk 10. A portion of the disk10 extends outside of the disk cavity 187. This portion of the disk 10is pumped by a pump beam 184 and is aligned with a laser generator 188to generate a laser 188 a.

The disk 10 is pumped from a plurality of laser diodes 180. According toone embodiment, the disk 10 is pumped from at least 2 laser diodes 180.However in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the pump beam 184is produced by seven laser diodes 180 arranged in a hexagonal array. Inone particular implementation, each diode produces a 1.3 kW laser at 941nm. The lasers produced by the plurality of diodes 180 are focused ontoa lens 182 which directs the diode-lasers onto the gain region 15 of thedisk 10. Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B are pumpedby a plurality of laser diodes 180, it is contemplated that otherpumping mechanisms known by those having skill in the art may also beused.

In one particular embodiment, the laser gain is generated at 1030 nm and1050 nm within the disk 10. In other embodiments, laser gain isgenerated at other wavelengths known by those skilled in the art. Inanother implementation, the disk 10 rotates at a speed of 100-1000 rpm.According to a particular embodiment, the disk 10 rotates at a speed ofapproximately 840 rpm and translates approximately 1 cm in the plane ofthe disk 10. Furthermore, the edge of the disk 10 may be roughened andcoated with absorbing material to minimize the parasitic oscillation andamplified spontaneous emission on the plane of the disk 10.

According to one embodiment a laser averaging 100 kW of power may beproduced by arranging twenty-five laser assemblies 179 side-by-side, asshown in FIG. 22. However, it is understood that the power generated bythe laser may be varied by adding or subtracting the number of laserassemblies 179 that are optically coupled to generate the laser.According to a particular implementation, the disk 10 of each assembly179 is constructed of Yb-YAG ceramic, Yb-YAG, Nd-YAG ceramic, or Nd-YAG.According to various embodiments, the diameter of the disk 10 is between5-60 cm is of a thickness of 1-10 mm. In one particular implementation,the disk thickness is approximately 2.5 mm. However, other materials anddimensions known by those skilled in the art may also be used. In oneembodiment, the heat sink 186 temperature is approximately 253-278 K.The assemblies 179 are arranged such that the gain region 15 of eachdisk is aligned with the laser generator 188. In a particularembodiment, the resonator in the laser generator 188 is an unstableresonator.

Configuration 20

As is discussed above, there are many functional advantages to providingdisk rotation. FIGS. 23A-C illustrates three particular embodiments inwhich the disk 10 is rotated by three different mechanisms. However, itis understood that disk rotation, and disk movement in general may beachieved by mechanisms known by those having skill in the art. FIG. 23Aillustrates a disk which is rotated by a belt 190. The belt 190 engagesthe side surface 191 of the disk such that as the belt 190 moves, thedisk 10 rotates. In order to facilitate coupling the belt 190 to thedisk 10, the side surface 191 of the disk 10 may be roughened or containfabricated structures.

In another embodiment the disk 10 is driven by a gear drive 192, asshown in FIG. 23B. The disk 10 and gear 192 mesh such that when the gear192 rotates, the disk 10 also rotates. Measures can be taken to enhancemechanical coupling and transfer of mechanical energy from the geardrive 192 to the disk 10.

Further, in an additional embodiment, the disk 10 may be rotated by apulley system 198. The pulley system 198 includes a driver 196 and apulley 194. Mechanical energy is transferred from the driver 196 to thedisk 10 via the pulley 194. Furthermore, although it is not shown, thedisk 10 may also achieve rotation by being mounted on an axel whichrotates. In addition to the foregoing, methods of rotation known bythose skilled in the art may also be employed.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodimentsdisclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with eachother and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinationdescribed herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited bythe illustrated embodiments.

1. A laser module being operative to extract energy from a laser disk byachieving multiple passing through the disk, the laser modulecomprising: a disk comprised of lasing material having opposing firstand second surfaces and a gain region comprised of excited lasingmaterial, the disk being rotatable about a rotation axis; a rotationmechanism in mechanical communication with the disk for rotating thedisk; a laser beam passing through the gain region by entering throughthe first surface and exiting through the second surface; first andsecond mirrors positioned along the laser axis adjacent the secondsurface, wherein the first mirror is oriented to receive the laser fromthe laser source and reflect the laser toward the second mirror, andwherein the second mirror is oriented to receive the laser from thefirst mirror and reflect the laser through the gain region by enteringthrough the second surface and exiting through the first surface
 2. Thelaser module of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink disposedsubstantially adjacent at least a portion of the disk such that as thedisk rotates, heat from different portions of the disk dissipates aseach portion comes into thermal communication with the heat sink.
 3. Thelaser module of claim 1 wherein the laser beam enters the first surfaceof the disk at the Brewster angle.
 4. The laser module of claim 1wherein the laser beam enters the second surface at the Brewster angle.5. The laser module of claim 1 wherein the laser beam enters the firstsurface of the disk at an angle other than the Brewster angle.
 6. Thelaser module of claim 5 further comprising third and fourth mirrorspositioned along the laser axis adjacent the first surface, the thirdmirror being oriented to receive the laser beam from the second mirrorand reflect the laser beam toward the fourth mirror, the fourth mirrorbeing oriented to receive the laser beam from the third mirror andreflect the laser beam through the gain region by entering through thefirst surface and exiting through the second surface.
 7. The lasermodule of claim 6 further comprising fifth and sixth mirrors positionedalong the laser axis adjacent the second surface, the fifth mirror beingoriented to receive the laser beam from the fourth mirror and reflectthe laser beam toward the sixth mirror, the sixth mirror being orientedto receive the laser beam from the fifth mirror and reflect the laserbeam through the gain region by entering through the second surface andexiting through the first surface.
 8. The laser module of claim 1wherein the rotation member includes a gear in mechanical communicationwith the disk such that as the gear rotates, the disk rotates.
 9. Thelaser module of claim 1 wherein the rotation member includes a belt inmechanical communication with the disk such that as the belt moves, thedisk rotates.
 10. The laser module of claim 1 wherein the rotationmember includes a pulley that is in mechanical communication with thedisk such that as the pulley rotates, the disk rotates.
 11. A lasermodule being operative to generate multiple laser beams, the lasermodule comprising: a disk comprised of lasing material having a gainregion comprised of excited lasing material, the disk being rotatableabout a rotation axis; a rotation member being operative to rotate thedisk; a first laser generator in optical communication with the gainregion, the first laser generator being operative to produce a firstlaser beam; a second laser generator in optical communication with thegain region, the second laser generator being operative to produce asecond laser beam.
 12. The laser module of claim 11 wherein at least oneof the first and second laser generators is an amplifier defining anincident input laser beam.
 13. The laser module of claim 11 wherein atleast one of the first and second laser generators is a oscillatorcontaining an optical resonator defined by a number of mirrored surfacesalong a common oscillator axis.
 14. The laser module of claim 11 furthercomprising a heat sink disposed substantially adjacent at least aportion of the disk such that as the disk rotates, heat from differentportions of the disk dissipates as each portion comes into thermalcommunication with the heat sink.
 15. A laser module being operative tomultiplex a lasing disk, the laser module comprising: a disk comprisedof lasing material having a gain region, the disk being rotatable abouta rotation axis; a rotation member being operative to rotate the disk; aplurality of pump sources, each pump source being operative to direct arespective pump beam toward the disk, the pump beams being incident onthe disk to excite the gain region lasing material; at least one lasergenerator in optical communication with the gain region, each of the atleast one laser generator being operative to produce a respective laserbeam.
 16. The laser module of claim 15 further comprising a dichroicmirror oriented to direct at least one of the pump beams from one of theplurality of pump sources toward the gain region and wherein thedichroic mirror is oriented such that one of the respective laser beamsproduced by the at least one laser generator is directed by the dichroicmirror.
 17. The laser module of claim 15 wherein the ratio of pump beamsto laser beams is greater than
 1. 18. The laser module of claim 15wherein at least one of the first and second laser generators is anamplifier defining an incident input laser beam.
 19. The laser module ofclaim 15 wherein at least one of the first and second laser generatorsis an oscillator containing an optical resonator defined by a number ofmirrored surfaces along a common oscillator axis.
 20. The laser moduleof claim 15 further comprising a heat sink disposed substantiallyadjacent at least a portion of the disk such that as the disk rotates,heat from different portions of the disk dissipates as each portioncomes into thermal communication with the heat sink.
 21. A laser modulecapable of generating intermittent lasing activity, the laser modulecomprising: a disk comprised of lasing material having a gain regioncontaining excited lasing material; a first laser generator beingoperative to generate a first laser beam; and a disk displacementmechanism in mechanical communication with the disk, the displacementmechanism being operative to move excited lasing material into opticalcommunication with the first laser generator.
 22. The laser module ofclaim 21 further comprising a pump source being operative to direct apump beam onto the gain region to excite the disk lasing material,wherein the disk displacement mechanism is operative to move unexcitedlasing material into optical communication with the pump beam.
 23. Thelaser module of claim 21 further comprising a second laser generatorbeing operative to generate a second laser beam, wherein the diskdisplacement mechanism moves excited lasing material into opticalcommunication with the second laser generator to generate a second laserbeam.
 24. The laser module of claim 121 wherein the first lasergenerator is at least one waveguide.
 25. The laser module of claim 24wherein the first laser generator is an array of waveguides.
 26. Thelaser module of claim 121 further comprising a plurality of pump sourceseach being operative to direct a respective pump beam to separatelocations on the disk.
 27. The laser module of claim 26 wherein the diskdisplacement mechanism moves excited lasing material into opticalcommunication with the first laser generator, wherein the excited lasingmaterial has been pumped by at least two pump beams.
 28. The lasermodule of claim 21 further comprising a heat sink disposed substantiallyadjacent at least a portion of the disk such that as the disk moves,heat from different portions of the disk dissipates as each portionmoves into thermal communication with the heat sink.
 29. A laser modulebeing operative to generate and alter a laser characteristics, the lasermodule comprising: a disk comprised of lasing material having a gainregion comprised of excited lasing material; a first laser generatorbeing operative to generate a first laser beam along a first generatoraxis, the first laser generator being in optical communication with thegain region; and a disk displacement mechanism in mechanicalcommunication with the disk, the displacement mechanism being operativeto move the disk such that as the disk moves, the first lasercharacteristics vary.
 30. The laser module of claim 29 wherein the diskis compositionally configured to generate lasers of different wavelengthwhen different portions of the disk moves into optical communicationwith the first laser generator.
 31. The laser module of claim 30 whereinthe disk displacement mechanism rotates the disk about a rotation axis.32. The laser module of claim 30 wherein the disk displacement mechanismtranslates the disk along at least one translation axis.
 33. The lasermodule of claim 29 wherein the disk includes a disk thickness equal tothe distance between the first and second surfaces along the generatoraxis, wherein the first laser wavelength varies as the disk thicknessvaries.
 34. The laser module of claim 33 wherein the first and secondsurfaces are substantially parallel and wherein the disk displacementmechanism moves the disk in relation to the first generator axis to varythe angle between the first generator axis and the first and secondsurfaces.
 35. The laser module of claim 33 wherein the disk displacementmechanism rotates the disk about a rotation axis and wherein the diskincludes a non-uniform thickness, such that as the disk rotates, thefirst laser beam wavelength varies.
 36. The laser module of claim 35wherein the disk includes a first portion having a first disk thicknessand a second portion having a second disk thickness such that as thedisk rotates the first portion gain region and second portion gainregion are separately placed in optical communication with the firstlaser generator to vary the wavelength of the first laser.
 37. The lasermodule of claim 29 wherein the disk further includes a first portioncomprised of a first lasing material and a second portion comprised of asecond lasing material, the first portion being capable of producing afirst laser beam when the first portion gain region is in opticalcommunication with the first laser generator and the second portionbeing capable of producing a second laser beam when the second portiongain region is in optical communication with the second laser generator.38. The laser module of claim 37 wherein the disk displacement mechanismrotates the disk about a rotation axis to separately position the firstand second portions in optical communication with the first lasergenerator.
 39. The laser module of claim 37 wherein the diskdisplacement mechanism translates the disk along at least onetranslation axis to separately position the first and second portions inoptical communication with the first laser generator.
 40. The lasermodule of claim 29 wherein the disk includes a substrate and at leastone lasing medium inset within the substrate, wherein the displacementmechanism moves the at least one medium in and out of opticalcommunication with the first laser generator to vary the characteristicsof the first laser beam.
 41. The laser module of claim 40 furthercomprising a plurality of lasing medium wherein the disk displacementmechanism rotates the disk about a rotation axis to separately positionthe plurality of lasing medium in optical communication with the firstlaser generator.
 42. The laser module of claim 40 further comprising aplurality of lasing medium wherein the disk displacement mechanismtranslates the disk along at least one translation axis to separatelyposition the plurality of lasing medium in optical communication withthe first laser generator.
 43. The laser module of claim 40 wherein thedisk is physically patterned to alter the first laser beamcharacteristics.
 44. The laser module of claim 40 further comprising atleast two lasing medium, which are diffusion bonded.
 45. The lasermodule of claim 29 wherein the first laser generator is an amplifierdefining an incident input laser beam.
 46. The laser module of claim 29wherein the first laser generator is an oscillator comprising an opticalresonator defined by a number of mirrored surfaces along a commonoscillator axis.
 47. The laser module of claim 29 further comprising aheat sink disposed substantially adjacent at least a portion of the disksuch that as the disk moves, heat from different portions of the diskdissipates as each portion moves into thermal communication with theheat sink.
 48. A laser module being operative to generate a laser, thelaser module comprising: a disk comprised of lasing material havingopposing first and second surfaces and a gain region; a pump sourcebeing operative to direct a pump beam onto the disk to excite the gainregion lasing material; a mirror disposed adjacent the second surface;and a first coating disposed on at least one of the first and secondsurfaces, the first coating being operative to control the transmissionof light at a first wavelength through the at least one of the first andsecond surfaces.
 49. The laser module of claim 48 further comprising asecond coating disposed on at least one of the first and secondsurfaces, the second coating being operative to control the transmissionof light at a second wavelength through the at least one of the firstand second surfaces.
 50. The laser module of claim 48 furthercomprising: a rotation member being operative to rotate the disk; and aheat sink disposed substantially adjacent at least a portion of the disksuch that as the disk rotates, heat from different portions of the diskdissipates as each portion comes into thermal communication with theheat sink.
 51. A laser module comprising: a lasing disk comprised oflasing material having a gain region; a non-lasing disk disposedadjacent the lasing disk, the non-lasing disk being operative to performa non-lasing function, wherein the lasing disk and non-lasing disk arerotatable about a common rotation axis; and a first laser generator inoptical communication with the gain region, the first laser generatorbeing operative to produce a laser having a first wavelength;
 52. Thelaser module of claim 51 wherein the non-lasing disk is operative toabsorb heat from the lasing disk.
 53. The laser module of claim 52wherein the non-lasing disk is comprised of silicon.
 54. The lasermodule of claim 52 wherein the non-lasing disk is comprised of diamond.55. The laser module of claim 51 wherein the non-lasing disk alters theoptical characteristics.
 56. The laser module of claim 51 wherein thenon-lasing disk is bonded to the lasing disk with minimal opticaltransmission loss.
 57. The laser module of claim 56 wherein thenon-lasing disk is diffusion bonded to the lasing disk.
 58. The lasermodule of claim 51 wherein the first laser generator is an amplifierdefining an incident input laser beam.
 59. The laser module of claim 51wherein the laser generator is a oscillator comprising an opticalresonator defined by a number of mirrored surfaces along a commonoscillator axis.
 60. The laser module of claim 51 further comprising: arotation member being operative to rotate the lasing disk and non-lasingdisk; and a heat sink disposed substantially adjacent at least a portionof the lasing disk such that as the lasing disk rotates, heat fromdifferent portions of the lasing disk dissipates as each portion comesinto thermal communication with the heat sink.
 61. A high-powered laserdevice comprising: a laser module being operative to produce a highpowered laser, the laser module comprising: a disk comprised of lasingmaterial having a gain region; a rotation member being operative torotate the disk; a pump source being operative to direct a plurality ofpump beams toward the disk; a focusing lens in optical communicationwith the plurality of pump beams, the focusing lens being operative tofocus the plurality of pump beams onto the gain region; a lasergenerator in optical communication with the gain region, the lasergenerator being operative to generate a first laser beam; and a heatsink disposed substantially adjacent at least a portion of the disk suchthat as the disk rotates, heat from different portions of the diskdissipates as each portion comes into thermal communication with theheat sink.
 62. The high-powered laser device of claim 61 furthercomprising a heat transfer gap between the heat sink and the disk. 63.The high-powered laser device of claim 62 wherein a gas is disposedwithin the heat transfer gap to facilitate heat removal from the disk.64. The high-powered laser device of claim 62 wherein the gas is helium.65. The high-powered laser device of claim 62 wherein the heat transfergap is 10-250 microns.
 66. The high-powered laser device of claim 61wherein the disk is comprised of a lasing material selected from thegroup consisting of Yb-YAG, Nd-YAG, Yb-YAG ceramic, and Nd-YAG ceramic.67. The high-powered laser device of claim 61 wherein the pump source iscomprised of at least 2 laser diodes arranged in an array.
 68. Thehigh-powered laser device of claim 61 wherein the disk is substantiallycircular.
 69. The high-powered laser device of claim 68 wherein thediameter of the disk is between 5 and 60 cm.
 70. The high-powered laserdevice of claim 68 wherein the thickness of the disk is approximatelybetween 1-10 mm.
 71. The high-powered laser device of claim 61 whereinthe laser generator is an oscillator comprised of an unstable resonator.72. The high powered laser device of claim 61 wherein the disk rotatesat approximately 100-1000 rpm.
 73. The high-powered laser device ofclaim 61 comprising 2-100 laser modules arranged side-by-side such thatthe disk gain regions are in optical communication with the lasergenerator along a common generator axis.
 74. A laser module comprising:a disk comprised of lasing material having opposed first and secondsurfaces and a gain region comprised of excited lasing material; a diskdisplacement mechanism mechanically connected to the disk, the diskdisplacement mechanism being operative to displace the disk; a firstlaser generator in optical communication with the gain region, the firstlaser generator being operative to produce a first laser beam; and afirst diffraction grating disposed on the first surface adjacent thegain region, the first diffraction grating being operative to alter theoptical characteristics of the first laser beam.
 75. The laser module ofclaim 74 wherein the first diffraction grating is operative to performsecure communication via the first laser beam.
 76. The laser module ofclaim 74 further comprising at heat sink disposed substantially adjacentat least a portion of the disk such that as the disk is displaced, heatfrom different portions of the disk dissipates as each portion comesinto thermal communication with the heat sink.
 77. A laser module beingoperative to generate a laser in the plane of the disk laser, the lasermodule comprising: a disk comprised of lasing material, the diskincluding: opposing first and second surfaces; at least one partiallytransmissive side surface being substantially perpendicular to the firstand second surface; and a gain region comprised of excited lasingmaterial; a disk displacement mechanism mechanically connected to thedisk, the disk displacement mechanism being operative to displace thedisk; a pump source being operative to direct a pump beam toward thedisk, the pump beam being incident on one of the first and secondsurfaces to excite the gain region lasing material, wherein the gainregion emits light that exits the disk through the at least onepartially transmissive side surface.
 78. The laser module of claim 77further comprising a heat sink disposed substantially adjacent at leasta portion of the disk such that as the disk is displaced, heat fromdifferent portions of the disk dissipates as each portion comes intothermal communication with the heat sink.
 79. A method of generating alaser, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a laser modulecomprising: a disk comprised of a lasing material having a gain regioncomprised of excited lasing material; and at least one laser generatorbeing operative to generate a laser beam; b. directing at least one pumpbeam onto the disk to excite the lasing material within the gain region,wherein each pump beam is incident on the disk at the gain region; andc. positioning excited lasing material in optical communication with theat least one generator.
 80. The method of claim 79 wherein step (c)includes rotating the disk about a rotation axis to position the excitedlasing material in optical communication with the at least one lasergenerator.
 81. The method of claim 79 wherein step (c) includestranslating the disk along at least one translation axis to position theexcited lasing material in optical communication with the at least onelaser generator.
 82. The method of claim 79 further comprising the stepof passing the disk through a heat sink to extract heat from the disk,the heat sink being disposed substantially adjacent at least a portionof the disk such that as portions of the disk pass therethrough, heatfrom different portions of the disk dissipates as each portion comesinto thermal communication with the heat sink.
 83. The method of claim79 wherein step (b) includes directing a plurality of pump beams ontothe disk.
 84. The method of claim 83 further comprising the step ofrotating the disk to move unexcited lasing material into opticalcommunication with the plurality of pump beams.
 85. The method of claim79 wherein the laser module includes a plurality of laser generators.86. The method of claim 85 wherein step (c) includes positioning theexcited lasing material substantially simultaneously in opticalcommunication with the plurality of laser generators.
 87. The method ofclaim 85 wherein step (c) includes positioning the excited lasingmaterial in separate optical communication with the plurality of lasergenerators.
 88. A method of generating a laser, the method comprisingthe steps of: a. providing a laser module comprising: a laser generatorbeing operative to produce a first laser beam; and a disk comprised of alasing material having opposing first and second surfaces and a gainregion containing excited lasing material; wherein the disk isconfigured to alter the optical characteristics of the first laser beamas the disk thickness varies, the disk thickness being the distancebetween the first and second surfaces along the generator axis; and b.varying the disk thickness to vary the optical characteristics of thefirst laser beam.
 89. The method of claim 88 wherein step (b) includesmoving the generator axis in relation to the disk to vary the anglebetween the generator axis and the first and second surfaces to alterthe disk thickness, wherein the first and second surfaces aresubstantially parallel.
 90. The method of claim 88 wherein step (a)includes a disk with varying thickness and step (b) includes rotatingthe disk about a rotation axis wherein the distance between the firstand second surfaces varies such that as the disk rotates the opticalcharacteristics of the first laser beam vary.
 91. The method of claim 88wherein step (b) includes rotating the disk about a rotation axiswherein the disk includes a first portion having a first disk thicknessand a second portion having a second disk thickness such that as thedisk rotates the first portion gain region and second portion gainregion separately communicate with the laser generator to produce firstand second lasers respectively.
 92. The method of claim 88 furthercomprising the step of passing the disk through a heat sink to extractheat from the disk, the heat sink being disposed substantially adjacentat least a portion of the disk such that as portions of the disk passtherethrough, heat from different portions of the disk dissipates aseach portion comes into thermal communication with the heat sink.
 93. Amethod of generating a laser, the method comprising the steps of: a.providing a laser module comprising: a disk comprised of a lasingmaterial, the disk including: a gain region containing excited lasingmaterial; and a first portion comprised of a first lasing material and asecond portion comprised of a second lasing material, the first portionbeing capable of producing a first laser having a first wavelength andthe second portion being capable of producing a second laser having asecond wavelength a laser generator being operative to generate a laserbeam when in optical communication with the gain region; and b.positioning the first portion gain region and the second portion gainregion such that the first portion gain region and second portion gainregion are in separate optical communication with the laser generator.94. The method of claim 93 wherein step (b) includes rotating the diskabout a rotation axis.
 95. The method of claim 93 wherein step (b)includes translating the disk along at least one translation axis. 96.The method of claim 93 further comprising the step of passing the diskthrough a heat sink to extract heat from the disk, the heat sink beingdisposed substantially adjacent at least a portion of the disk such thatas portions of the disk pass therethrough, heat from different portionsof the disk dissipates as each portion comes into thermal communicationwith the heat sink.
 97. A method of generating a laser, the methodcomprising the steps of: a. providing a laser module comprising: a diskcomprised of lasing material, the disk including: opposing first andsecond surfaces; a gain region containing excited lasing material and afirst coating disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces,wherein the first coating is operative to control the transmission oflight having a first wavelength through the at least one of the firstand second surfaces; and a mirror in spaced relation to the secondsurface of the disk, the reflective surface of the mirror facing thesecond surface, wherein the mirror and first coating collectivelyproduce the first laser; b. directing the pump beam onto the disk toexcite the lasing material with the gain region; and c. positioning thegain region such that it intersects the laser axis.
 98. The method ofclaim 97 further comprising the step of passing the disk through a heatsink to extract heat from the disk, the heat sink being disposedsubstantially adjacent at least a portion of the disk such that asportions of the disk pass therethrough, heat from different portions ofthe disk dissipates as each portion comes into thermal communicationwith the heat sink.
 99. A method of generating a laser, the methodcomprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of laser modules, eachmodule comprising: a disk comprised of lasing material having opposingfirst and second surfaces and a gain region; a rotation member beingoperative to rotate the disk; a pump source being operative to direct aplurality of input pump beams toward the disk; a focusing lens inoptical communication with the plurality of input pump beams, thefocusing lens being operative to focus the plurality of input pump beamsonto the gain region; a laser generator in optical communication withthe gain region, the laser generator being operative to generate a firstlaser; and a heat sink disposed substantially adjacent at least aportion of the disk such that as the disk rotates, heat from differentportions of the disk dissipates as each portion comes into thermalcommunication with the heat sink; b. arranging the modules inside-by-side arrangement such that the disk gain regions are in opticalcommunication with the laser generator along a common generator axis; c.directing the input pump beam from the focusing lens onto each moduledisk to excite the lasing material within the gain region; and d.positioning the respective gain regions such that the gain regions arein optical communication with the laser generator.